By Mike Donahue
Moapa Valley Progress
Moapa Valley Empowerment High School (MVHS) recognized the best of the best last week when 59 graduating seniors were honored for outstanding academic, athletic and other leadership achievements during their high school years.
Almost $62,000 was presented in local scholarships during Senior Scholarship and Awards Night, an increase of about $20,000 over last year, according to Stephanie Howard, MVHS counselor in charge of the event. Local scholarship amounts were generally between $250 and $2,500 but there were some national scholarships that went much higher and were not counted in the $62,000.
“I think it’s great that our local community members stepped up and increased their award amounts to surpass last year’s by $20,000,” said Grant Hanevold, MVHS principal.
Seventeen foreign exchange students were also recognized for having completed their senior year in Moapa Valley, Howard said. Most foreign students will need to complete another year in their own country in order to get a high school diploma, however. Local families host students from 11 countries including Sweden, Brazil, Germany, Austria, Norway, Taiwan, Thailand, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Italy.
In addition to the many students who received single scholarships and awards several MVHS students were honored with multiple scholarships and honorifics including Kaley Sproul who received awards for rodeo and agriculture activities including the Clark County Farm Bureau Scholarship, the Nevada Agriculture Foundation and Harry & Mabel Forbush Memorial Scholarship, and the Wes Adams Memorial Rodeo Scholarship among others; Mckinzy Reid who was recognized for outstanding work in the academic arena from Tiffany’s Pies, Overton Power and two scholarships from the public education foundation out of Las Vegas; Megan Potter, who received several arts and music awards and also was the national recipient of the Coca Cola National Finalist Award; Eva Chidester who received many scholarships including $26,000 in state and national competitions and a scholarship from Global Entrepreneur Program through the University of Nevada Las Vegas; Cole and Chase Witter who both received multiple awards; Shae Bryant who was honored as one of the top 10 student athletes of the year by, NIAA/Farmers Ins/Lifetouch Photography, and Amanda Jacobsmeyer who received many local awards and was honored with scholarship awards from NV Energy and Brigham Young University.
The 76 students honored last week totals more than almost half the graduating senior class and they all deserve special recognition, Howard said.
“Statistically we always shine out here,” she added. “Luckily there are a lot of available slots for the kids to fill in whatever they go out for, athletics, scholarships, everything. How lucky we are to live in a community where school, community and church integrate so naturally together to give our students so many opportunities.”
